checking oil YAMAHA YZ450F 2011 User Guide

3-24
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
CHECKING THE SPARK PLUG
1. Remove:
• Spark plug
2. Inspect:
• Electrode "1"
Wear/damage→Replace.
• Insulator color "2"
Normal condition is a medium to
light tan color.
Distinctly different color→Check
the engine condition.
An extended run at low speeds
causes the insulator to be colored
black even if the air-fuel mixture is
normal.
3. Measure:
• Plug gap "a"
Use a wire gauge or thickness
gauge.
Out of specification→Regap.
4. Clean the plug with a spark plug
cleaner if necessary.
5. Tighten:
• Spark plug
• Before installing a spark plug, clean
the gasket surface and plug sur-
face.
• Finger-tighten "a" the spark plug
before torquing to specification "b".
CHECKING THE IGNITION TIMING
1. Remove:
• Timing mark accessing screw "1"
2. Attach:
• Timing light
• Digital tachometer
To the ignition coil lead (orange
lead "1").
3. Adjust:
• Engine idling speed
Refer to "ADJUSTING THE EN-
GINE IDLING SPEED" section.
4. Check:
• Ignition timing
Visually check the stationary
pointer "a" is within the firing
range "b" on the rotor.
Incorrect firing range→Check ro-
tor and Crankshaft position sen-
sor.
5. Install:
• Timing mark accessing screw Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm
(0.028–0.031 in)
Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m•kg, 9.4
ft•lb)
Timing light:
YM-33277-A/90890-
03141
Timing mark accessing
screw:
6 Nm (0.6 m•kg, 4.3
ft•lb)

3-25
ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
The following guide for troubleshooting does not cover all the possible causes of problems. If the following problems occur,
perform the specified checks or maintenance jobs. If a problem occurs that is not listed in this manual or if the problem
cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in this manual, contact your Yamaha dealer.
Engine starting problems, engine idling speed problems, and medium and high-speed performance problems
• Engine does not start even though the kickstarter is pushed.
• Engine starts, but soon stops.
Engine idling speed problems
• Engine idling speed fluctuates.
• Engine idling speed is high.
• Engine idling speed is low.
Medium and high-speed performance problems
• Engine speed does not increase.
• Engine knocks.
• Engine speed increases suddenly.
• Loss of engine power.
INSPECTION STEPS
If the aforementioned problems have occurred, perform the following inspection steps in the order given.
Check that the fuel tank is filled with fresh gaso-
line.No good→
Fill the fuel tank.
OK↓
Check that the fuel tank breather hose is not
clogged. (Refer to "INCLUDED PARTS" section
in the CHAPTER 1.)No good→
Repair or replace.
OK↓
Adjusting the engine idling speed(Refer to "AD-
JUSTING THE ENGINE IDLLING SPEED" sec-
tion in the CHAPTER 3.)No good→
Adjust.
OK↓
Check that the fuel hose is connected properly
and is not kinked or pinched.No good→
Repair.
OK↓
Check the spark plug for dirt, the spark plug gap,
and the spark plug cap. (Refer to "CHECKING
THE SPARK PLUG" section in the CHAPTER 3.)No good→
Clean or adjust.
OK↓
Check that the air filter element is installed cor-
rectly and is not clogged. (Refer to "CLEANING
THE AIR FILTER" section in the CHAPTER 3.)No good→
Clean or repair.
OK↓
Checking the sensors, injector and ignition coil
connection.No good→
Repair or replace.
OK↓
Installed condition of ECU (Refer to "CHECKING
THE ECU" section in the CHAPTER 7.)No good→
Repair.
OK↓
Check the assembled condition of the throttle
body, and check the throttle valve and its sur-
rounding parts for dirt.No good→
Repair or clean.
OK↓
Consult a Yamaha dealer.

4-13
CAMSHAFTS
4. Measure:• Camshaft-to-cap clearanceOut of specification → Measure
camshaft outside diameter.
Measurement steps:
a. Install the camshaft onto the cylin- der head.
b. Position a strip of Plastigauge
®
"1" onto the camshaft.
c. Install the clip, dowel pins and camshaft caps.
• Tighten the bolts (camshaft cap) in a crisscross pattern from innermost
to outer caps.
• Do not turn the camshaft when
measuring clearance with the
Plastigauge
®.
d. Remove the camshaft caps and measure the width of the Plasti-
gauge
® "1".
5. Measure:• Camshaft outside diameter "a"
Out of specification → Replace
the camshaft.
Within specification → Replace
camshaft case and camshaft
caps as a set. CHECKING THE CAMSHAFT
SPROCKET
1. Inspect:
• Camshaft sprocket "1"Wear/damage →Replace the
camshaft assemb ly and timing
chain as a set.
CHECKING THE
DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM
1. Check: • Decompression system
Checking steps:
a. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam "1" moves
smoothly.
b. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam lever pin "2" proj-
ects from the camshaft.
CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN
TENSIONER
1. Check:• While pressing the tensioner rod lightly with fingers, use a thin
screwdriver "1" and wind the ten-
sioner rod up fully clockwise.
• When releasing the screwdriver
by pressing lightly with fingers,
make sure that the tensioner rod
will come out smoothly.
• If not, replace the tensioner as- sembly. INSTALLING THE CAMSHAFT
1. Install:
• Exhaust camshaft "1"
• Intake camshaft "2"
Installation steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock- wise with a wrench.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the camshafts.
• Apply the engine oil on the decom- pression system.
• Fill the cylinder head with engine oil
up to the tops "a" of the valve lifters.
b. Align the alignment mark "a" on the rotor with the alignment mark
"b" on the crankcase cover.
The alignment mark "a" on the ro-
tor is there for camshaft installa-
tion. This alignment mark is
stamped 23° ATDC.
Camshaft-to-cap clear-
ance:
0.028–0.062 mm
(0.0011–0.0024 in)
:0.08 mm (0.003
in)
Bolt (camshaft cap): 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Camshaft outside diame-
ter: 21.959–21.972 mm
(0.8645–0.8650 in)

4-22
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
h. Press the valve through the valve guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
i. Measure the valve seat width
again. If the valve seat width is out
of specification, reface and relap
the valve seat.
CHECKING THE VALVE SPRINGS
1. Measure:• Valve spring free length "a"Out of specification → Replace.
2. Measure: • Compressed spring force "a"Out of specification → Replace.
b. Installed length
3. Measure:
• Spring tilt "a"Out of specification → Replace. CHECKING THE
VALVE LIFTERS
1. Inspect: • Valve lifterScratches/damage →Replace
both lifters and cylinder head.
INSTALLING THE VALVES
1. Apply: • Molybdenum disulfide oilOnto the valve stem and valve
stem seal.
2. Install: • Valves "1"
• Valve spring seats "2"
• Valve stem seals "3"
• Valve springs "4"
• Valve spring retainers "5"
• Install the valve "a" with the identifi-
cation 33DI on the intake side and
the valve "b" with the identification
33DE on the exhaust side.
• Install the valve springs with the larger pitch "d" facing upward.
e. Smaller pitch 3. Install:
• Valve cotters
Install the valve cotters by compress-
ing the valve spring with the valve
spring compressor "1" and the valve
spring compressor attachment "2".
4. To secure the valve cotters onto
the valve stem, lightly tap the
valve tip with a piece of wood.
Hitting the valve tip with excessive
force could damage the valve.
5. Install:• Adjusting pad "1"
• Valve lifter "2"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the valve stem end.
• Apply the engine oil on the valve lift-
ers.
• Valve lifter must turn smoothly when rotated with a finger.
• Be careful to reinstall valve lifters and pads in their original place.
Free length (valve
spring): Intake:40.76 mm (1.60 in)
: 39.76 mm
(1.57 in)
Exhaust:
37.01 mm (1.46 in)
: 36.01 mm
(1.42 in)
Compressed spring
force: Intake:178–204 N at 34.78
mm (18.2–20.8 kg at
34.78 mm,
40.01–45.86 lb at 1.37
in)
Exhaust: 124–142 N at 30.83
mm (12.6–14.5 kg at
30.83 mm,
27.88–31.92 lb at 1.21
in)
Spring tilt limit: Intake:2.5°/1.8 mm (0.070 in)
Exhaust: 2.5°/1.6 mm (0.062 in)
Valve spring compres-
sor: YM-04019/90890-04019
Valve spring compressor
attachment: YM-04108/90890-04108

4-25
CYLINDER AND PISTON
2. Position:
• Piston ring
(in cylinder)
Insert a ring into the cylinder and
push it approximately 40mm (1.57 in)
into the cylinder. Push the ring with
the piston crown so that the ring will
be at a right angle to the cylinder
bore.
a. 40 mm (1.57 in)
3. Measure:
• Ring end gap
Out of specification → Replace.
You cannot measure the end gap on
the expander spacer of the oil control
ring. If the oil control ring rails show
excessive gap, replace all three rings.
CHECKING THE PISTON PIN
1. Inspect:
• Piston pin
Blue discoloration/grooves→Re-
place, then inspect the lubrication
system.2. Measure:
• Piston pin-to-piston clearance
Measurement steps:
a. Measure the outside diameter
(piston pin) "a".
If out of specification, replace the
piston pin.
b. Measure the inside diameter (pis-
ton) "b".
c. Calculate the piston pin-to-piston
clearance with the following for-
mula.
d. If out of specification, replace the
piston.
INSTALLING THE PISTON RING
AND PISTON
1. Install:
• Piston ring
Onto the piston.
• Be sure to install the piston rings so
that the manufacturer's marks or
numbers are located on the upper
side of the rings.
• Lubricate the piston and piston
rings liberally with engine oil.
2. Position:
•Top ring
•2nd ring
•Oil ring
Offset the piston ring end gaps as
shown.
a. Top ring end
b. 2nd ring end
c. Oil ring end (upper)
d. Oil ring
e. Oil ring end (lower) End gap:
Standard
Top
ring0.20–0.30
mm
(0.008–0.01
2 in)0.55 mm
(0.022 in)
2nd
ring0.35–0.50
mm
(0.014–0.02
0 in)0.85 mm
(0.033 in)
Oil
ring0.20–0.50
mm
(0.008–0.02
0 in)—
Outside diameter (piston
pin):
17.991–18.000 mm
(0.7083–0.7087 in)
Inside diameter (piston):
18.004–18.015 mm
(0.7088–0.7093 in)
Piston pin-to-piston clearance =
Inside diameter (piston) "b" -
Outside diameter (piston pin)
"a"
Piston pin-to-piston
clearance:
0.004–0.024 mm
(0.00016–0.00094 in)
:0.07 mm (0.003
in)
2525
2525115

4-29
CLUTCH
REMOVING THE CLUTCH BOSS
1. Remove:
•Nut "1"
• Conical washer "2"
• Clutch boss "3"
Use the clutch holding tool "4" to hold
the clutch boss.
A. For USA and CDN
B. Except for USA and CDN
CHECKING THE CLUTCH
HOUSING AND BOSS
1. Inspect:
• Clutch housing "1"
Cracks/wear/damage→Replace.
• Clutch boss "2"
Scoring/wear/damage→Replace.
CHECKING THE PRIMARY DRIVEN
GEAR
1. Check:
• Circumferential play
Free play exists→Replace.
• Gear teeth "a"
Wear/damage→Replace.CHECKING THE CLUTCH
SPRINGS
1. Measure:
• Clutch spring free length "a"
Out of specification→Replace
springs as a set.
CHECKING THE FRICTION
PLATES
1. Measure:
• Friction plate thickness
Out of specification→Replace
friction plate as a set.
Measure at all four points.
CHECKING THE CLUTCH PLATES
1. Measure:
• Clutch plate warpage
Out of specification→Replace
clutch plate as a set.
Use a surface plate "1" and thick-
ness gauge "2".CHECKING THE PUSH LEVER
SHAFT
1. Inspect:
• Push lever shaft "1"
Wear/damage → Replace.
CHECKING THE PUSH ROD
1. Inspect:
• Push rod 1 "1"
• Bearing "2"
• Washer "3"
• Push rod 2 "4"
•Ball "5"
Wear/damage/bend→Replace.
INSTALLING THE PUSH LEVER
SHAFT
1. Install:
• Push lever shaft "1"
• Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the oil seal lip.
• Apply the engine oil on the push le-
ver shaft.
Clutch holding tool:
YM-91042/90890-04086
Clutch spring free
length:
50.0 mm (1.97 in)
: 49.0 mm (1.93
in)
Friction plate thickness:
2.92–3.08 mm
(0.115–0.121 in)
: 2.8 mm (0.110
in)
Warp limit:
0.1 mm (0.004 in)

4-33
OIL FILTER ELEMENT AND WATER PUMP
REMOVING THE IMPELLER
SHAFT
1. Remove:
• Impeller "1"
• Washer "2"
• Impeller shaft "3"
Hold the impeller shaft on its width
across the flats "a" with spanners,
etc. and remove the impeller.
REMOVING THE OIL SEAL
It is not necessary to disassemble the
water pump, unless there is an abnor-
mality such as excessive change in
coolant level, discoloration of coolant,
or milky transmission oil.
1. Remove:
• Bearing "1"
• Oil seal "2"CHECKING THE IMPELLER SHAFT
1. Inspect:
• Impeller shaft "1"
Bend/wear/damage→Replace.
Fur deposits→Clean.
CHECKING THE BEARING
1. Inspect:
•Bearing
Rotate inner race with a finger.
Rough spot/seizure→Replace.
CHECKING THE OIL SEAL
1. Inspect:
• Oil seal "1"
Wear/damage→Replace.
INSTALLING THE OIL SEAL
1. Install:
• Oil seal "1"
• Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the oil seal lip.
• Install the oil seal with its manufac-
ture's marks or numbers facing the
right crankcase cover "2".
2. Install:
• Bearing "1"
Install the bearing by pressing its out-
er race parallel.
INSTALLING THE IMPELLER
SHAFT
1. Install:
• Impeller shaft "1"
• Washer "2"
• Impeller "3"
• Take care so that the oil seal lip is
not damaged or the spring does not
slip off its position.
• When installing the impeller shaft,
apply the engine oil on the oil seal
lip, bearing and impeller shaft. And
install the shaft while turning it.
• Hold the impeller shaft on its width
across the flats "a" with spanners,
etc. and install the impeller.
Impeller:
14 Nm (1.4 m•kg, 10
ft•lb)

4-39
OIL PUMP
CHECKING THE OIL PUMP
1. Inspect:
• Oil pump drive gear
• Oil pump drive shaft
• Rotor housing
• Oil pump cover
Cracks/wear/damage → Re-
place.
2. Measure:
• Tip clearance "a"
(between the inner rotor "1" and
outer rotor "2")
• Side clearance "b"
(between the outer rotor "2" and
rotor housing "3")
• Housing and rotor clearance "c"
(between the rotor housing "3"
and rotors "1" "2")
Out of specification → Replace
the oil pump assembly.3. Check:
• Unsmooth → Repeat steps #1
and #2 or replace the defective
parts.
INSTALLING THE OIL PUMP
1. Install:
• Oil pump drive shaft "1"
• Washer "2"
• Dowel pin "3"
• Inner rotor 1 "4"
• Apply the engine oil on the oil pump
drive shaft and inner rotor 1.
• Fit the dowel pin into the groove in
the inner rotor 1.
2. Install:
• Outer rotor 1 "1"
Apply the engine oil on the outer rotor
1.
3. Install:
• Oil pump cover "1"
• Screw (oil pump cover) "2"
• Dowel pin "3"
• Inner rotor 2 "4"
• Circlip "5"
• Apply the engine oil on the oil pump
drive shaft end and inner rotor 2.
• Fit the dowel pin into the groove in
the inner rotor 2.
4. Install:
• Outer rotor 2 "1"
• Dowel pin "2"
• Oil pump assembly "3"
• Bolt (oil pump assembly) "4"
Apply the engine oil on the outer rotor
2.
5. Install:
• Oil pump drive gear "1"
• Washer "2"
• Circlip"3"
Apply the engine oil on the oil pump
drive gear inner circumference.
Tip clearance "a":
0.12 mm or less (0.0047
in or less)
: 0.20 mm
(0.008 in)
Side clearance "b":
0.09–0.17 mm
(0.0035–0.0067 in)
: 0.24 mm
(0.009 in)
Housing and rotor clear-
ance "c":
0.03–0.10 mm
(0.0012–0.0039 in)
: 0.17 mm
(0.0067 in)
Screw (oil pump cover):
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Bolt (oil pump assem-
bly):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)

4-56
CRANKCASE AND CRANKSHAFT
3. Inspect:
• Oil seal
Damage → Replace.
CHECKING THE CRANKSHAFT
1. Measure:
• Runout limit "a"
• Small end free play limit "b"
• Connecting rod big end side
clearance "c"
• Crank width "d"
Out of specification→Replace.
Use the dial gauge and a thick-
ness gauge.
CHECKING THE OIL STRAINER
1. Inspect:
• Oil strainer
Damage→Replace.INSTALLING THE CRANKCASE
BEARING
1. Install:
•Bearing
• Bearing stopper
• Bolt (bearing stopper)
• Screw (bearing stopper)
• Screw [bearing stopper (crank-
shaft)] "1"
To left and right crankcase.
• Install the bearing by pressing its
outer race parallel.
• To prevent the screw [bearing stop-
per (crankshaft)] from becoming
loose, crush the screw head periph-
ery "a" into the concave "b" using a
punch etc. In so doing, take care
not to damage the screwdriver re-
ceiving hole in the screw head.
INSTALLING THE CRANKSHAFT
1. Install:
• Crankshaft "1"
Use the crankshaft installing tool
"2", "3", "4" and "5".
• Hold the connecting rod at top dead
center with one hand while turning
the nut of the installing tool with the
other. Operate the installing tool un-
til the crankshaft bottoms against
the bearing.
• Before installing the crankshaft,
clean the contacting surface of
crankcase.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease to the crankshaft to pre-
vent it from being scratched.
• Do not use a hammer to drive in
the crankshaft.
A. For USA and CDN
B. Except for USA and CDN
2. Check:
• Shifter operation
• Transmission operation
Unsmooth operation → Repair. Dial gauge and stand:
YU-3097/90890-01252
Standard
Runout
limit:0.03 mm
(0.0012 in)0.05 mm
(0.002 in)
Small
end
free
play:0.4–1.0 mm
(0.016–0.039
in)2.0 mm
(0.08 in)
Side
clear-
ance:0.15–0.45
mm
(0.0059–0.01
77 in)0.50 mm
(0.02 in)
Crack
width:61.95–62.00
mm
(2.439–2.441
in)—
Bolt (bearing stopper):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Screw (bearing stopper):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Screw [bearing stopper
(crankshaft)]:
22 Nm (2.2 m•kg, 16
ft•lb)
Crankshaft installing pot
"2":
YU-90050/90890-01274
Crankshaft installing bolt
"3":
YU-90050/90890-01275
Adapter (M12) "4":
YU-90063/90890-01278
Spacer (crankshaft in-
staller) "5":
YM-91044/90890-04081

4-59
TRANSMISSION, SHIFT CAM AND SHIFT FORK
REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION
1. Remove:
• Main axle "1"
• Drive axle "2"
• Shift cam
• Shift fork 3
• Shift fork 2
• Shift fork 1
• Remove assembly with the collar
"3" installed to the crankcase.
• Remove assembly carefully. Note
the position of each part. Pay partic-
ular attention to the location and di-
rection of shift forks.
• Remove the main axle, drive axle,
shift cam and shift fork all together
by tapping lightly on the transmis-
sion drive axle with a soft hammer.
CHECKING THE GEARS
1. Inspect:
• Matching dog "a"
• Gear teeth "b"
• Shift fork groove "c"
Wear/damage→Replace.
2. Inspect:
• O-ring "1"
Damage→Replace.
3. Check:
• Gears movement
Unsmooth movement→Repair or
replace.CHECKING THE BEARING
1. Inspect:
•Bearing "1"
Rotate inner race with a finger.
Rough spot/seizure→Replace.
CHECKING THE SHIFT FORK,
SHIFT CAM AND SEGMENT
1. Inspect:
• Shift fork "1"
Wear/damage/scratches→Re-
place.
2. Inspect:
• Shift cam "1"
• Segment "2"
Wear/damage→Replace.
3. Check:
• Shift fork movement
Unsmooth operation→Replace
shift fork.
For a malfunctioning shift fork, re-
place not only the shift fork itself but
the two gears each adjacent to the
shift fork.
INSTALLING THE TRANSMISSION
1. Install:
• 5th pinion gear (21T) "1"
• 3rd pinion gear (18T) "2"
•Collar "3"
• 4th pinion gear (22T) "4"
• 2nd pinion gear (15T) "5"
To main axle "6".
Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the inner and end surface of the
idler gear and on the inner surface of
the sliding gear, then install.
2. Install:
•Collar "1"
• 2nd wheel gear (23T) "2"
• 4th wheel gear (24T) "3"
• 3rd wheel gear (23T) "4"
• 5th wheel gear (20T) "5"
•Collar "6"
• 1st wheel gear (27T) "7"
• O-ring "8"
To drive axle "9".
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the inner and end surface of the
idler gear and on the inner surface
of the sliding gear, then install.
• Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.